jìzhě zhāodàihuì: 记者招待会 - Press Conference, News Conference

• Keywords: 记者招待会, jizhe zhaodaihui, press conference in Chinese, news conference Chinese, Chinese government press conference, corporate announcement China, 外交部记者招待会 (Wàijiāobù jìzhě zhāodàihuì), news briefing.
• Summary: The term `记者招待会 (jìzhě zhāodàihuì)` is the standard Chinese word for a “press conference” or “news conference.” It describes a formal event where an organization, such as a government ministry or a corporation, makes an announcement and answers questions from invited journalists. Understanding this term is key to following official news and major business developments in China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jìzhě zhāodàihuì
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5/6
• Concise Definition: A formal meeting where journalists are invited to hear a statement and ask questions.
• In a Nutshell: `记者招待会` is a very literal term. It breaks down into “reporter” (记者) and “reception/conference” (招待会). It's the go-to phrase for any official media briefing, from the daily Ministry of Foreign Affairs updates to a tech company launching a new smartphone. It implies a structured, one-to-many format: one or more spokespeople addressing a room full of reporters.

• 记 (jì): To record, to remember, a mark.
• 者 (zhě): A suffix that indicates a person who performs an action, like “-er” in English.
  • Together, 记者 (jìzhě) means “recorder-person” — a journalist or reporter.
• 招 (zhāo): To beckon, to summon, or to invite.
• 待 (dài): To receive or to treat (as a guest).
  • Together, 招待 (zhāodài) means “to host” or “to receive guests.”
• 会 (huì): A meeting, conference, or assembly.
  • Together, 招待会 (zhāodàihuì) means a “reception” or a hosted meeting.

When combined, `记者招待会 (jìzhě zhāodàihuì)` literally translates to a “reporter-reception-meeting,” a perfectly descriptive name for a press conference.

The concept of a press conference is universal, but its execution in China has unique cultural and political characteristics. Compared to a sometimes chaotic and confrontational White House press briefing in the U.S., major official `记者招待会` in China are often more formal, structured, and controlled. The primary goal is often the precise dissemination of an official position or message, rather than a free-wheeling, open-ended debate. This reflects a broader cultural value placed on order, harmony, and presenting a unified message. Questions from journalists, especially at high-level government events, may be pre-vetted or follow a predictable pattern. While tough questions can occur, the overall tone is typically more reserved and less adversarial than in some Western contexts. For a learner, it's important to see these events not just as Q&A sessions, but as carefully managed platforms for communication.

`记者招待会` is a formal term used widely in news, government, and business.

• Government Announcements: This is the most common context. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (外交部, Wàijiāobù) holds a regular `记者招待会` on weekdays, which is broadcast internationally. These are key events for understanding China's official stance on global issues.
• Corporate Events: Companies hold a `记者招待会` to launch new products, announce financial results, or address a public relations crisis. For example, a car company might hold one to unveil a new electric vehicle.
• Formality: The term is formal. In casual conversation, you wouldn't use it to describe a simple chat. It always implies an organized event with media present.

• Example 1:
  • 外交部发言人正在举行例行记者招待会。
  • Pinyin: Wàijiāobù fāyánrén zhèngzài jǔxíng lìxíng jìzhě zhāodàihuì.
  • English: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson is holding the regular press conference.
  • Analysis: This is a very typical sentence you would hear in a Chinese news report. `例行 (lìxíng)` means “routine” or “regular.”
• Example 2:
  • 这家公司明天将为他们的新产品召开一个记者招待会。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī míngtiān jiāng wèi tāmen de xīn chǎnpǐn zhàokāi yī ge jìzhě zhāodàihuì.
  • English: This company will hold a press conference for their new product tomorrow.
  • Analysis: `召开 (zhàokāi)` is a formal verb often used with meetings and conferences, meaning “to convene” or “to hold.”
• Example 3:
  • 你看了今天下午总理的记者招待会直播吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ kàn le jīntiān xiàwǔ zǒnglǐ de jìzhě zhāodàihuì zhíbō ma?
  • English: Did you watch the live broadcast of the Premier's press conference this afternoon?
  • Analysis: This shows how the term is used in everyday conversation when discussing current events. `直播 (zhíbō)` means “live broadcast.”
• Example 4:
  • 在记者招待会上，他回答了许多尖锐的问题。
  • Pinyin: Zài jìzhě zhāodàihuì shàng, tā huídá le xǔduō jiānruì de wèntí.
  • English: At the press conference, he answered many sharp questions.
  • Analysis: `尖锐 (jiānruì)` means “sharp” or “incisive,” showing that these conferences aren't always simple announcements.
• Example 5:
  • 由于丑闻，该公司被迫举行紧急记者招待会。
  • Pinyin: Yóuyú chǒuwén, gāi gōngsī bèi pò jǔxíng jǐnjí jìzhě zhāodàihuì.
  • English: Due to the scandal, the company was forced to hold an emergency press conference.
  • Analysis: This highlights its use in crisis management. `紧急 (jǐnjí)` means “emergency.”
• Example 6:
  • 每一位参加记者招待会的记者都收到了一个新闻资料袋。
  • Pinyin: Měi yī wèi cānjiā jìzhě zhāodàihuì de jìzhě dōu shōudào le yī ge xīnwén zīliàodài.
  • English: Every journalist who attended the press conference received a press kit.
  • Analysis: This sentence provides context about the logistics of such an event. `资料袋 (zīliàodài)` is a “data bag” or folder with information.
• Example 7:
  • 记者招待会预计将持续一个小时。
  • Pinyin: Jìzhě zhāodàihuì yùjì jiāng chíxù yī ge xiǎoshí.
  • English: The press conference is expected to last for one hour.
  • Analysis: `预计 (yùjì)` means “to estimate” or “to expect,” a common word in formal announcements.
• Example 8:
  • 他在记者招待会上的声明引起了广泛关注。
  • Pinyin: Tā zài jìzhě zhāodàihuì shàng de shēngmíng yǐnqǐ le guǎngfàn guānzhù.
  • English: His statement at the press conference attracted widespread attention.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the impact and purpose of holding a press conference. `引起关注 (yǐnqǐ guānzhù)` is a common phrase for “to attract attention.”
• Example 9:
  • 我们需要为下周的记者招待会准备好所有材料。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào wèi xià zhōu de jìzhě zhāodàihuì zhǔnbèi hǎo suǒyǒu cáiliào.
  • English: We need to prepare all the materials for next week's press conference.
  • Analysis: A practical sentence used within an organization that is planning the event.
• Example 10:
  • 主持人宣布记者招待会现在开始。
  • Pinyin: Zhǔchírén xuānbù jìzhě zhāodàihuì xiànzài kāishǐ.
  • English: The host announced that the press conference would now begin.
  • Analysis: `主持人 (zhǔchírén)` is the host or moderator, and `宣布 (xuānbù)` is the formal verb for “to announce.”

• Mistake: Confusing with a general meeting or interview.
  • A `记者招待会` is a specific type of meeting. Do not use it interchangeably with:
    • 会议 (huìyì): A general meeting or conference. A company's internal sales meeting is a `会议`, but not a `记者招待会`.
    • 采访 (cǎifǎng): An interview. This is usually one-on-one or one-to-few (e.g., one reporter interviewing one CEO). A `记者招待会` is one-to-many.
  • Incorrect: 我今天下午要开一个记者招待会。 (If you're just meeting with your team.)
  • Correct: 我今天下午要开一个会议。
  • Correct: 那位CEO拒绝了我们的采访请求。 (That CEO rejected our interview request.)
• Nuance: `记者招待会` vs. `新闻发布会 (xīnwén fābùhuì)`
  • `新闻发布会` means “news release conference” and is a very close synonym. They are often used interchangeably.
  • If there is a subtle difference, `新闻发布会` emphasizes the act of “releasing” (发布) new information, while `记者招待会` emphasizes the act of “hosting reporters” (招待记者). In practice, you can use either for most situations.

• 记者 (jìzhě) - Reporter, journalist. The primary audience of a `记者招待会`.
• 新闻发布会 (xīnwén fābùhuì) - News release conference. A very close synonym.
• 发言人 (fāyánrén) - Spokesperson. The person who officially speaks at the event.
• 媒体 (méitǐ) - Media. The collective term for newspapers, TV, and other news organizations.
• 采访 (cǎifǎng) - To interview; an interview. A different format of interaction between a person and the media.
• 发布 (fābù) - To release, to issue, to announce. This is the main action performed at a `新闻发布会`.
• 直播 (zhíbō) - Live broadcast. How many modern press conferences are consumed by the public.
• 提问 (tíwèn) - To ask a question. A key component of the Q&A session.
• 外交部 (Wàijiāobù) - Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). The host of China's most famous daily press conferences.